Rangers catch Twins in wild-card race

(The Sports Xchange) - Yovani Gallardo collected his 100th career victory while Texas capitalized on an error by Toronto right fielder Jose Bautista to score three times in the seventh inning in a 4-1 victory over the Blue Jays on Thursday.

The Rangers (65-61) drew level with the Minnesota Twins for the second wild-card spot in the American League behind the New York Yankees, who are 1-1/2 games behind the Blue Jays (71-56) in the AL East.

"It means a lot. It's a big accomplishment," Gallardo said after he recorded the win. "It shows a lot of hard work through the years. It's not easy. It's something that as starter is very important."

Gallardo, who grew up in nearby Fort Worth, won his third consecutive start, pitching 5-1/3 shutout innings and giving up three hits and three walks while striking out two.

"It's a powerful lineup, but I think my main thing is being aggressive with the fastball and get the guys to swing early," Gallardo said.

"I was able to command the fastball on both sides of the plate and (hit) with just enough off-speed pitches.

"You have to move the ball around with the kind of hitters they have."

Texas right-hander Shawn Tolleson pitched a scoreless ninth for his 26th save. He was one of four Rangers relievers who held Toronto to one run and five hits in 3-2/3 innings.

Texas center fielder Delino DeShields, who scored the game's first run on first baseman Mitch Moreland's single in the first inning, had two hits.
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